Internship Programs

UNEP Internships

Unpaid Internships

The goal of the UNEP Internship program is to provide students with a broader understanding of the planet’s major environmental challenges and their possible solutions. The organization’s diversified environment enables cultural and experience exchange with professionals of various nationalities and different educational and professional backgrounds. Therefore, this internship program is suitable for those seeking practical knowledge to complement their education with professional experiences of great value for their future career.

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UN Internships – PDF eBook

UNEP Overview

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and with offices in several regions, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) coordinates international action to protect the environment and encourage sustainable development. The organization works in partnership with governments, corporations, academic institutions and civil society groups around the world, carrying out research and assessment of environmental conditions, developing policies and proposing more sustainable alternatives to global environmental challenges.

UNEP’s main focus: To foster sustainable environmental development.

Themes addressed by the UNEP:

Biosafety
Chemicals and waste
Climate change
Disaster and conflicts
Ecosystems
Education and training
Energy
Environment under review
Environment governance
Extractives
Forests
Gender
Green Economy
Oceans and seas
Resources Efficiency
Sustainable Development Goals
Technology
Transport
Water

Description of the UNEP Internship

What are the fields of study required for the UNEP Internship?
This internship program includes students and recent graduates from the most diverse fields of knowledge. The areas of study with the highest demand in this program are:

Environmental Studies
International Relations
International Development
Environmental Policy and Law

What are the tasks performed by the selected for the UNEP Internship?
The activities performed vary according to the opening and the requirements of the different departments to which interns are allocated. However, generally speaking, the main duties are:

Carry out research and prepare documents to support the implementation of projects;
Support the preparation of documents;
Take part in meetings, gatherings and events;
Provide administrative support;
Help organize events;
Perform other tasks when requested.

What is the duration of the UNEP Internship?
The internship period ranges from at least 2 months to up to 6 months at most.

What is the weekly workload of the UNEP Internship?
The internship programs are full-time. Interns shall therefore work between 35 and 40 hours per week.

Where are the locations of the UNEP Internship?
Internship openings are distributed in the following locations:

Nairobi, Kenya
Bangkok, Thailand
Geneva, Switzerland
Washington, D.C, USA
Panama City, Panama
Manama, Bahrain
New York, USA

When does the UNEP Internship start?
The initial date of the internship shall be coordinated between the intern and the organization.

Is there any feedback following the completion of the UNEP Internship?
At the end of the internship, the supervisor is in charge of preparing an assessment report of the intern’s performance.

Subsequent employment:
Participation in the internship is not related to future employment with the agency. During the internship period and within six months immediately after the program you will not be eligible to apply for or be appointed to any effective position in the organization. However, the work experience in the agency will be a distinctive feature in your curriculum, which may facilitate your hiring by other organizations inside or outside the UN System.

UNEP Internship Salary

The internship is unpaid.

UNEP Internship Requirements

What is the education requirement of the UNEP Internship Program?

Be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s or PhD), or;
Be enrolled in the last school year of an undergraduate school program (Bachelor’s level or equivalent), or;
Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course in the last 12 months.

What is the language requirement of the UNEP Internship Programme?
Fluency in English or French is required. Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish will be advantageous in the selection process.

What is the age requirement of the UNEP Internship Programme?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrolment.

What is the Nationality requirement of the UNEP Internship Programme?
Applicants must be citizens of a UNEP member state.

What are the competencies required for the UNEP Internship Programme?
The main competencies required are: communication, teamwork and client orientation.

Other requirements of the UNEP Internship Programme
Most internships require no work experience. However, previous experiences may be an advantage in the selection process.

What are the restrictions of the UNEP Internship Programme?
An applicant may not be a child or sibling of any organization staff member.

UNEP Internship - Application process

When to apply for the UNEP Internship Program?
Application deadlines vary depending on the openings and the needs of organization. Therefore, it is important search for internship opportunities through information on our website and social networking platforms.

How to apply for the UNEP Internship Program?
The application process is done via the UN Careers portal, where all openings are published. The application must be done on the Inspira Gateway and comprises the following steps:

Search for internship openings;
Register with the Inspira portal;
Fill out the profile data;
Fill out the application form.

What are the phases of the selection process for the UNEP Internship?
The selection process may vary depending on the department or office to which the intern is applying, but generally comprises the following steps:

Creating a profile and preparing an application;
Submitting the application;
Evaluation of the application;
Competency-based interview;
Selection notifications.

How is the UNEP Internship interview?
Usually, only selected applicants will be contacted for the interview, which lasts about 30 minutes and may be done via Skype or phone. The main points covered in the interview vary according to the opening and department chosen. In general, however, the questions address subjective or behavioral aspects, such as your expectations about the job, your interests in the area of expertise you are applying for and your previous experiences.

What are the documents to submit for the UNEP Internship Programme?
The application process requires you to submit:

Cover Note/Letter
A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated)
Proof of enrollment in university and date of course completion;

What is the evaluation criteria of the UNEP Internship Programme?
You will be evaluated regarding your previous experience, skills and competencies, and educational background.

Other information:
It is important to submit your application in advance. Internship openings at UN Careers are removed from the portal at midnight of the deadline, New York time (GMT-5). You will not be able to modify your application after submission.

UNEP Internship - Costs

The organization offers no financial aid to cover costs related to preparing for or doing the internship. However, you may request financial aid from a sponsoring institution, for example, a university and/or government agency in your country.

Visa:
You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of obtaining the visa (if needed to do the internship).

Insurance:
You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs of enrolling in a valid global medical insurance plan and must submit the following documents:

A valid and signed copy of a Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of Health Insurance valid for the agency’s region;
Proof of Life/Accident Insurance valid for the agency’s region.

Accommodation:
You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for accommodation expenses during the internship period.

Other
You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of the trip to the workplace to which you have been assigned.

Links

Internship Programme:
https://www.unenvironment.org/work-with-us

Contact for inquiries:
http://web.unep.org/about/who-we-are/contact-us